The Drama of 'Black Velvet' Jewel Alocasia

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and small gifts of one sort or another are in order for those we appreciate. Gifts can be fun and youthful, with colorful fondant hearts and tiny cards to mark the occasion. But sometimes we like to add a little elegance and drama to our plans for the 14^th. Gorgeous flowers help us to do this with ease. And some of the more dramatic plants can do the same. Take Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet’, for example. This plant is all drama, and with its container wrapped in a bit of fabric in deep red or shocking pink, it fills the bill as a special gift for a day of love, elegance, and “nothing but the finest”.

Now, a plant with near-black foliage is always an eye catcher, especially when set among a display of houseplants in medium green tones or, even more striking, chartreuse. For any time of year, this is an ideal specimen for the plant collector in your life. Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet’ has leaves that can become so incredibly dark and velvety looking that they seem quite important as a contrast to more typical foliage, green and shiny. And around Valentine’s Day, when one nearly cannot escape the lipstick shades that pop up in every shop on greeting cards, wrapping paper, and just about everything else, the contrast between the foliage of Alocasia reginula and the world around it is quite striking.

I first saw ‘Black Velvet’ Jewel Alocasia at my local garden center. I was walking the aisles, and there it was… a plant that stood out among the rest and beckoned me to touch its foliage. I did not, and it turns out that I was right to hold back from disturbing ‘Black Velvet’. This plant is one of many with oxalate crystals which you want to avoid and ensure that your pets ignore. The garden center happens to have two resident cats. Alocasia reginula sat in the center of a plant table, out of reach; for those cats, that seemed to be enough. At home, a plant such as Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet’ would simply need to be positioned thoughtfully.

So, black tie affairs, little black dresses, and… gulp… black velvet ring boxes: These are some of the items of Valentine’s Day, for some people and in some years. Sure, this year you might opt for a nice little Lipstick Plant or a String of Pearls. You might place a String of Hearts plant in a sweet container and go the fun and carefree route when it comes to Valentine’s gifting. Sign me up: I’d love any of those gifts. But perhaps, just perhaps, this is the year of elegance, extravagance, drama…. Perhaps this is the year that you give Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet’ to someone you love. Add a small card with a few lines of plant-care tips, noting that Alocasia reginula likes well-draining soil, warmth and humidity, and dappled light in order to keep its ‘Black Velvet’ looking deep and rich in tone. Then, if you desire to take things right over the top, purchase a small remnant of velvet fabric. Carefully cover your plant pot in simple kitchen foil, and then draw up your piece of fabric so that a large elastic band can hold it in place and then get hidden by a decorative ribbon. The plant’s “velvet dress” will be for the day of gifting only, as Alocasia reginula needs good drainage with nothing holding in moisture. But pretty? Well, surely it is. And dramatic… well, this is Broadway worthy stuff for a happy Valentine’s Day for you and yours.